Yosemite Forum

need snowshoes now?

need snowshoes now?

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:25 am

by jgolder

I'm going to be heading to the Wawona camp site in a few days and while i have camped in Yosemite several times in the summer this would be my first time going this early. Will I need snow shoes to hike at this time of the year. Also, i know the cables are down at the top 400 feet of half down, but is it possible to make it up to there in hiking boots? Thanks in advance

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:02 am

by bill-e-g

From what I know snow level is at around 5000 ft.

Please don't try to go up HD without the cables up.
Not worth your life. It's almost always easier to go up than come down.
(ask a cat)

Have fun. Post what your experience is.
I'm heading to Poopenaut Valley this wkend and to LYV week after.

Take a look at the webcams too... I might have to change my ideas due
to the snow level...

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:58 pm

by oakroscoe

How was poopenaut? Every time I've driven by there I think it must be a nightmare to get back up with the amount of elevation it drops off.

Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:11 pm

by bill-e-g

Poopenaut:
1300 ft. in about 3/4 of a mile.
Def. the steepest trail in Yosemite. Even challenges Henry Coe...

It's nice down there right now. Not too many flues were open on HH
Dam so we were able to cross the river without too much problem.
It's not the 34 degrees at the top of Wapama.. I think it was around
50 degrees... still makes my feet hurt but at least not too painful.
We camped on the sand on the north side of the river.
Had this bright idea to try to find the 90+ year old trail up the other side.
Major bush-wacking... got to the pond/marsh south of Swamp Lake.
Was very very happy when finally got back down to Poopenaut.
No bugs yet so nice nice nice... (this was Mar. 28-29).

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 1:28 am

by oakroscoe

No luck finding that 90 year old trail? Hope you did...

Part of the fun/curse is finding those old abandoned trails. Best of luck.

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:36 pm

by nprangerdow

Where can you rent good snowshoes or should you just buy a pair?

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:42 pm

by Wickett

It all depends on how much you will be going. I bought a pair but I want to expand into winter camping...